Hi GeePee'rs - I'm looking to remove the front plate mount. There is a large plate sized brket - it looks to be glued on perhaps...I may decide to buy a Euro plate like I had on my last Mini, or leave it blank if it desn't have holes... can anyone post a pic of theirs modded? Thanks.

 

I do not have a picture but I removed my bracket. The bracket was held on by three screws and two velcro strips. Removing the bracket left three holes in the bumper cover and two velcro backing strips. I was able to peel-off the velcro strips. I painted the three screws gray and reintalled them in the holes.

 

sounds like an interesting idea, quikmni, can you post some pics? please
thanks!

 

Pictures would be appreciated - can you explain the screw - how did you remove the part if the screws are underneath - Velcro -...? I'm not sure if this is the same as mine - here is a pic of my part - it has a large piece for the plate to mount and I can't tell how it comes off - my 05'MCS didn't have this arrangement.

 

I will take a picture this afternoon and post it.
The three screws are under the license plate area. There is a velcro strip on the top right and top left side of the bracket. The velcro strips are on the thin bracket strips that extend from the top part of the license plate frame towards the parking lights. If you pull a little on the license plate frame part of the bracket you should be able to see where the velcro is on each side "wing" of the bracket.

 

Cool - definitely post some pics... before I go tearing this thing apart it would be comforting to know what is underneath the cover.

 

I have attached some pictures of the GP bumper and license plate bracket.
Here is the GP front bumper with the license plate bracket removed.

Here is a closeup picture of the front bumper. You can see the three screws that I painted and reinstalled in the bumper to fill the holes.

Here is a picture of the license plate bracket. You can see the four screws that hold the license plate frame. These are the four screws on the two verticle and two horizontal lines. The three screws that hold the bracket to the bumper go through the three larger holes on the bracket. The two holes with gold inserts are not used. The velcro strips are on the two "wings" that stick-out on each side at the top of the bracket.

To remove the bracket. Remove the license plate frame. Remove the three screws attaching the bracket to the bumper. Pull the bracket off the bumper carefully separating the velcro under the two side wings. The velcro strips remaining on the bumper can be easily pulled off the bumper. I painted the screws with dark gray primer and clear coat. I reinstalled the three screws in the bumper to fill the holes.

 

Ah... I see said the blind man - thanks a ton for posting those!..I'm sure there are others like me thinking about not using the front bracket....do you know if all GP's came with the plate? - asking because I know there are many states that don't require a front plate. In Cali they are required (though I've run a Euro plate)

 

Hey SoCal_Mini, I was fortunate that the dealership where I bought my GP didn't install my license plate bracket which came in a box. The bracket had the velcro stuck to the back of the bracket wings as "quikmni" described. After closely inspecting my front bumper , there are five dimples in the plastic, I assume for starter holes. The three described before by "quikmni" and two additonal on either side of the top two.

My guess is that MINI designed the special GP front bumper to accomodate the long European license plate, then made an adapter bracket for the U.S. plate, which fits in the area cut out for the Euro plate. The two extra holes are probably for mounting the Euro bracket. You mentioned you wanted to run a Euro plate, so maybe you could source the Euro bracket and that would solve your problem of covering the holes in your bumper.

I really like the clean no plate look, but since Cali license plate laws are being strictly enforced these days, you may want to try this cleverly designed bracket offered by MossMini http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=54811.
There's also another one made by GoMiniGo http://www.gominigo.com/18545.html
I'll probably get one of these setups for my GP. Hope this helps as an option, if all else fails.

 

Is it legal in CA to run a Euro style plate--if it were made with the correct numbers? I assume no for the rear, due to the required tags, etc., but what about the front?

 

Just to clarify the MossMini cleverly designed bracket was copied from US.(GOMINIGO).....our bracket has been out for almost a year now. Also, we always have the 'No Holes' in stock with priority mail shipping.

 

SoCal

FYI

I've been running my cars in Ca for 30 without front plates. Never had an issue until this year. Got 2 tickets................. this year! .

Anyway, you will very possibly get ticketed for not having a front plate in SoCa.

YMMV
JohnG

 

I ran a Euro plate for a year (with my Cali plate number... I had made custom) and never got hassled.. but a Fix-it ticket is easy to swallow -

Thanks for the Links 'WorksGP' - appreciate it.

 

Sorry "mini-rolls", no offense intended. I just happen to see them both on the web. Really cool idea and design! Especially the stainless construction. It's inevitable that any of us in Cali will eventually get popped for no plate. Thanks for the great idea and option.

 

No offense taken, just wanted to clarify. We thought about doing the patent thing but the cost was high for a new company and new product. We did Trademark the name 'NO HOLES' License Plate Bracket, this is why they called their's something different. It is hard for a small company to go against someone like this but we will push our LPB. Also, as I stated we always have them stock, we also have other vendors carrying the 'No Holes' this includes MINI Dealers around the country. So if someone needs one in a hurry check with your dealer or other MINI supplier.

 

Hi,

Just to confirm/clarify, will this setup work with the GP?

I don't quite see how it would work on the GP without major surgery to the GP aero kit.

Thanks for the input.

 

in Socal You will get a ticket. It does not matter what you put on your Euro plate....it's still breaking the law. If the holes are there I'd run the oficial one, if not no plate. If you get a ticket you can always put it on the grill for inspection and then remove it unless you choose not to be harrassed.

btw I have both installed in the rear that way i can keep track of the front one.

 

I did just like Quickmni did - just put the screws back in and used some touch up paint - it looks alright - I still might go with the Euro plate - just deciding still -

 

I would be grateful if someone could provide the BMW/Mini part number for the USA license plate mount shown in the photo below:




Thanks,

Alan W

 

7 182 630
112 354 10
Germany

in the back on mine ..

 

Thanks lastrega!

I've given the above USA part number to a UK parts Dept. this afternoon and they can't access the part unfortunately.

All GP parts require a chassis number to enter the parts system and my UK chassis number will only allow access to European parts, not USA only parts which this item is.

If someone would be prepared to 'pm' me a USA chassis number I would be most grateful.

However, I also understand if nobody is prepared to do this.

 

I have the european mount that I had special ordered. I don't think I'm going to mount anything on there, so if you want it, it's yours.

 

Wow, many thanks gusmiami!

I'll 'pm' you later.

Thanks again.

 

Sorry for dragging this up again guys but in my excitement I didn't note that the license plate mount kindly offered by gusmiami was a euro version.

If anyone has the USA license plate mount shown in the photo below and has no need for it could they 'pm' me please.

Thanks in advance.

 

Very many thanks to David (Winston) for sending me his US GP License Plate Mount.

Lucy, GP0696, now wears a custom Euro plate.

A win/win for both our GP's!

Thanks again David.